Out of the EU: Now more than 70 per cent of over 50s want referendum on Europe

THE VAST majority of over 50s want a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU- with most saying they would vote to leave, a poll has revealed.

People in East Anglia were the most stringent in their support for leaving the EU, while London and

People in East Anglia were the most stringent in their support for leaving the EU, while London and Scotland came bottom.

Of the 11,211 surveyed, 73 per cent want a say on the UK’s relationship with Europe and 45 percent want to see ties severed altogether.

Some 33 per cent were happy to remain members, while 22 percent were undecided, according to the study by over 50s lifestyle specialists Saga.

There survey showed there were also regional differences.

People in East Anglia were the most stringent in their support for leaving the EU, while London and Scotland came bottom.

It also revealed that despite David Cameron’s pledge of a referendum by 2017, 65 per cent would want a vote held before the next election.

Social class was also a factor, suggesting those from less privileged backgrounds were most disenfranchised with the EU.

Just 16 per cent of those in the working class bracket were in favour of remaining in Europe with 61 per cent wanting to leave.

Opinions in the upper and middle class bracket varied less, with 40 per cent behind remaining in the EU and 39 per cent in favour of leaving it.

The findings comes after Labour leader Ed Miliband was warned by the party’s biggest individual donor John Mills that his refusal to support plans for a referendum could cost his party millions of votes at the next election.

The JML shopping channel mogul John Mills said: “Not having a commitment in the next Labour manifesto of some sort is going to prejudice Labour’s chances.”

David Cameron has also been criticised by Tory Eurosceptics for not bringing his referendum date forward, and instead dealing with other issues, such as gay marriage

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme after setting out his plan for a referendum he said: “I set out a very clear, very compelling policy for the country towards Europe, which is to renegotiate our relationship with Europe, to make the European Union more open, competitive and flexible, and then to offer the British people something they haven't had for decades – an in-out referendum. It's a very clear, very decisive policy.”